Politics

S.Korea, US May Transition 2nd Infantry Division into Combined Forces

South Korean and United States military authorities are reportedly considering turning the Second Infantry Division of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) into a joint force of both nations.

A military official on Friday said the two countries are discussing in depth reorganizing the division into “combined forces” like the existing South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC).

The official said if the reorganization takes place, the combined forces are highly likely to be stationed north of the Han River to show North Korea that both countries will maintain a strong deterrence together.

The division is supposed to be relocated to Pyeongtaek after the U.S. transfers wartime operational control (OPCON) to the South in 2015.

If the Second Infantry Division is reorganized into combined forces, a U.S. artillery brigade will reportedly stay north of the Han River. The artillery brigade possesses multiple launch rockets with a range of 45 kilometers.